Ricco Rodriguez arrested in Phoenix after alleged assault

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez was arrested this past weekend by Phoenix police after a scuffle with a taxi driver and police.

Fox news affiliate MyFoxPhoenix.com reported the news on Wednesday. A representative for the Phoenix Police Department verified to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Rodriguez was arrested this past Sunday but declined to offer details on the case.

Rodriguez’s representatives were unreachable for comment.

The Fox report stated that Rodriguez was arrested after the taxi driver called 911. Rodriguez allegedly refused to pay a $70 tab for a ride to a South Phoenix bar called the Garage. Rodriguez allegedly threw the driver to the ground as police arrived, and he resisted arrest when officers attempted to take him into custody.

It took several officers to restrain the former champion, and one was allegedly shoved into a wall, the report said. Rodriguez reportedly sustained a minor injury to his elbow in the scuffle.

Rodriguez has been charged with assault and resisting arrest.

Rodriguez (46-11) most recently fought overseas this past February at BAMMA 6 where he defeated “The Ultimate Fighter 10″ veteran James McSweeney by decision. He recently took to MMAjunkie.com Radio to express his desire to return to the UFC – his current win streak stands at 11 – but talk of a return to the octagon appears to have cooled.

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